There would have many disappointed male travellers on Saturday night's British Airways flight ? nearly all the crew were men.

The BA football team, drawn from a pool of around 20 players, re-organised the schedules to make sure they staffed the flight from London and headed to Bermuda for a three-day, two-match tour of the Island.

Airline staff are allowed to request three trips a year and BA's footballers all put in for this weekend's flight to come and fulfil the fixtures against the Robin Hood and Police teams.

As well as crew on the plane, baggage handlers and other airline staff came out, taking advantage of staff-discounted flights, to form a team to take on the locals.

The side, who number one former pro, also play in similar tournaments in Antigua, Kenya and Jamaica but all name Bermuda as their destination of choice.

"There are a few of us who put down to come out on this flight," said Justin Ratcliffe, BA purser, goalkeeper and team captain.

"We have been coming out the last three years to take on the Police and this year we added a game against the Robin Hood.

"It is a beautiful Island, and even though the weather wasn't great this time, it is fantastic to be out here. This is the tour that is the biggest highlight for us."

There is always a three-day stopover for British Airways' crews flying to Bermuda on the Saturday flight in the winter, with staff being put up in the Hamilton Princess during their time on the Island.

With accommodation and flights obviously paid for, there is an enormous social side to the tour which sees the BA team playing for a trophy against the Police ? which they have won for three years on the trot ? and now also against the Robin Hood.

But off-the-field activities may have taken their toll with BA going down 7-2 yesterday to the Robin Hood Select side, an amalgamation of the Saturday and Sunday teams.

A hat-trick from Sunday morning star Bruce Sinclair and strikes from Eldon Rego, Shane Brown, Nic Snelling and Roderick Barbosa sealed the victory.

A strike from Ratcliffe and an own goal by Dave Kinnersley provided the tour goals for the airline side.

BA take on the Police in the second and final game of the tour at 3 p.m. today and are hopeful of a reversal of fortune.

"We were poor out there," said Paul Farrell, another purser and formerly on the books at Lincoln City.

"We just couldn't get things together. It has to rank as one of our worst performances but we will be looking to sort things out against the cops.

"Whatever happens, though, this is a football tour and as long as football is the winner, that is all that matters."